Shawn Lawrence Otto, author of Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America and cofounder of ScienceDebate.org, shares several points on how science is expanding and connecting with more people. In animal agriculture there are many science driven environmental challenges. How can science, information, and politics play out when the people connections are many and multiple views of science exist?

Who is leading the conversation about agriculture today? Many people would answer with consumers, HSUS, Michael Pollan, and Jamie Oliver, to name a few. Why can't people in agriculture be leading the conversation and thought leadership? Michele Payn-Knoper, Cause Matters Corp., aims to get farmers and ranchers to be authentically agriculture.

This is a fiscally difficult session, with many of those in Congress expecting reductions in spending for Farm Bill programs. Also, the current Farm Bill was put into action in 2008 and many of the pieces expire September 2012. What will happen and what are the issues?

Annette Sweeney, Representative, Iowa General Assembly, provides some background on the Ag Protection Act that was put into law in Iowa. Some have called this the 'Ag Gag Bill'. The activities that went into the development of the legislation took much negotiation, hard compromise, and much longer than many expected.

How do large companies that sit between animal producers and consumers develop sustainability programs? Sustainability for those companies is about continuous improvement, understanding the social and environmental impacts of their business practices, and being authentic and sincere with people. Arlin Wasserman, Changing Tastes founder and former Sodexo VP, shares what sustainability also means for animal ag farmers and ranchers.

Dr. Chris Ashworth brings to a close the 2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit. Dr. Ashworth shares a vision of the future for animal production, with the opportunities and the challenges facing farmers and ranchers.

Sue Wallis, Representative, Wyoming State Legislature, talks about what is going on at the state level, with respect to agriculture, politics, and the current relationship states have with various animal rights groups.

Agriculture is "always" evolving. Chris Herr, PennAg Industries Association Executive Vice President, says people must not confuse companion animals with food animals and look for ways to take on the insincere politics getting in the way of animal welfare—from both sides.

How do food and consumers come together? In the US, many times it is at the grocery store. Consumers make their food choices and that message (through their purchases) get communicated back to production agriculture farms. Greg Ferrara, National Grocers Association, highlights how grocery stores can help educate and inform consumers on farmers' behalf.

Agriculture has been in the main stream media several times this year. Janie Gabbett, Meatingplace Executive Editor, provides a perspective on where people get their news, how stories about agriculture spread, and what farmers and ranchers need to be aware of.

How can consumers learn more about swine farms and how pigs are raised? The Fair Oaks Pig Adventure is being designed as a place for everyone to learn more, see actual pigs in barns, and discover the activity required behind the scenes. Mike Platt, Indiana Pork Association Executive Director, provides an update on the educational venue.

Making food is important and quite a worthwhile endeavor. Much of the swine management / production system changes being asked for in the USA has already occurred in the UK. Mike Sheldon shares his views on those changes in the UK swine indusrty and some of the leassons learned over the last 20 years.